A Lisburn Pipe Band are hoping for five successive wins as they defend their title at the World Pipe Band Championships.

The world’s biggest week of piping gets underway today, and for all eyes will be back on Glasgow this summer as 50,000 music fans, families and tourists head to the city to enjoy the 200 events and 8,000 performers that make up Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival and The World Pipe Band Championships .

Defending their title are the members of Lisburn’s Field Marshall Montgomery Band, which have claimed the title a record 10 times, and is hoping to continue its 2014 triumph with another win.

The Grade1 Pipe Band, with members ranging in age from 16 to 53, aims to bring the title back to Northern Ireland to add to its total of more than 60 major championships in their 70-year history.

Speaking at the start of the week-long series of events, Pipe Major Richard Parkes MBE said the World Championships were the highlight of the piping year.

“We always look forward to coming to Glasgow, the home of the Pipe Band Championships and an outstanding venue for this competition.

"While our primary reason for being here is to retain the World Champion Title, of which we are incredibly proud, the welcome afforded to us and the rest of the bands from around the world is something we all look forward to and enjoy immensely.”

A massive 20% of the competitors at this year’s Championship are from Ireland – 13% of those from Northern Ireland – proving the popularity of the music across the Irish Sea.